Louth and Horncastle MP, Victoria Atkins, admitted that she did not know the number of police officers in the country - during a live radio interview on the topic of whether a reduction in police officer numbers had led to a rise in violent crime.

During the interview on LBC Radio earlier this week, host Nick Ferrari asked Ms Atkins - a Home Officer Minister - whether she knew the current number of police officers in the country.

Ms Atkins said: “Erm, yes, I think. Well, I know in London it’s around about 31,000 officers.”

Mr Ferrari replied: “Right, but the whole of the country. You’ll be aware of the figures, won’t you minister?